Biraja Temple
Biraja Temple which was built in 13th century।After the name of Goddess Biraja this place is also known as Biraja Peetha or Biraja Khetra. Biraja Temple is one of the olden Hindu temples located in the Jajpur district of Orissa, India. This temple was built in 13th century. It is located in the Jajpur town which is nearly 125 KM from Bhubaneswar. The main idol is Devi Durga who is worshiped by the name Biraja. The temple covers a large area, and it has several Shiva linga and other deities. Jajpur is also known as Biraja Kshetra or Biraja Peetha. Unique rituals, amazing traditions and miracles of Goddess Biraja has create a different identity of this places.
Biraja – tirtha on the sacred bank of river Baitarani found its celeberation during Mahabharat days and commemorates ten Horse Sacrifices (Dasaswamedha Yajna), conducted by Lord Brahma in Puranic age and Jajati KeshariI, the king of 10th century A.D. It has got its early name and fame as a Sakti-pitha in the Puranas like Visnu Purana, Brahma Purana, Kapila Samhita, Kubjika tantra, Jnanaranaba tantra and Brihannila tantra etc. It is said that the goddess emerged from the sacrificial fires of the Aswamedha Yajna.
Biraja mostly remains clothed. She firmly holds the tail of buffalo-demon by her left hand and pierces it with a spear by the right. Image of goddess with two hands dates back to 4th or 5th century A.D. It is one of the fifty-one distinguished Sakti-shrines of India, erected from the sacred navel – chord of goddess Sati.
The nine day – festival of Durga Puja is celebrated with great fanfare and on the fifth day of the function, the car festival of Viraja is celebrated by thousands of devotees from all around which is known as ‘Sakta-Gundicha’. Some are of opinion that Biraja is no other than Prajna – Paramita of Buddhism.
The goddess Viraja is clustered around with three Varahas, five Nrusimhas, seven Matrikas, eight Bhairabs, nine Durgas, twelve Madhavas, twelve Ganeshas and one hundred and eight Rudras. Though the deity relates to 4th century A.D., the present sanctum is of 200 years old only. The place Jajpur and its suburbs are full of icons of Buddhism and Jainism such as Bodhisattvas, Dhyani Buddhas and Jaina Tirthankars. Udayagiri, Ratnagiri, Lalitagiri and Alatigiri are four ancient Sakta centres in the suburbs, with Buddhist deities Tara, Heruka, Kurukula and Aparajita.
Navigaya
Jajpur has its unique importance in India as Navigaya Kshetra where “Pinda” is offered for the satisfaction of the ancestors. It is located inside the campus of Maa Biraja Temple. The devotees after offering oblations their ancestors must be witnessed by the Lord Gadadhar and holy darsan of Goddess Biraja as she is respectable of all ancestral man.
